Ashes 2019: Australia hold on as England fall short in dramatic final day at Lord’s
The match was drawn to leave Australia 1-0 up heading to Leeds for the third Ashes Test
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Follow the latest updates live from the final day of the Ashes Second Test where both England and Australia harbour faint hopes of a victory.
Ben Stokes’s century has given England an outside chance of victory after he smashed his way to three figures, with Nathan Lyon taking the bulk of the punishment. The call came soon after Stokes reached his century to declare on 258-5, setting Australia an appetising 267 to win and 48 overs remaining in the day.
Australia also lost star batsman Steve Smith to a concussion, after he was struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer ball yesterday, and he will also miss the third Test at Headingly under the new ICC laws that rules players out for at least six days following a head injury. Follow the live updates below.
When is it?
The second Test takes place on 14-18 August at Lord’s.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports The Ashes and Sky Sports Main Event from 10am on each day’s play.
Odds
England to win: 14/1
Australia to win: 15/4
Draw: 1/2
Prediction
Draw: With rain expected to washout most – if not all – of Wednesday and Saturday and severely hamper the rest of the second Test, it’s difficult to look beyond the draw and Australia maintaining their 1-0 advantage.
We're back underway here at Lord's.
Leach looking for some turn. Keep Bancroft pinned down in this opening over.
Will we see some drama to end this second Test?
WICKET!
Just as I say that!? Leach has trapped Bancroft (16) for lbw, England celebrate wildly!
A breakthrough, Australia now 47-3.
Australia 49/3, require 218 more to win vs England
Archer back in after Leach's breakthrough. A tame over by his standards and Australia steady themselves.
Now Leach again, can he build on that sensational start?
Australia 53/3, require 214 more to win vs England
Leach enjoying himself and almost takes Head.
He plays all over a ball attempting a sweep and the ball beats bat, stumps and Bairstow for four byes.
England bouncing!
Australia 63/3, require 204 more to win vs England
England appear to have been handed another version of Steve Smith in the former of Labuschagne, who has quickly negotiated 55 deliveries for 25 runs.
Leach is busy and working meticulously, while Root and Broad debate tactics. Now Archer back in to Root for a chat.
Can England wrestle back moment after Australia's resilience?
Australia 73/3, require 194 more to win vs England
Archer perhaps winding down now, a change of attack coming from England. Stokes maybe soon?
Australia 73/3, require 194 more to win vs England
Head looking to smash Leach away through the off side. Leach relishing the chance to toss them up into the rough patches - initially created by Peter Siddle.
Australia looking assured now.
But here comes Broad.
Australia 77/3, require 190 more to win vs England
Labuschagne is well and truly in now then, that's too wide from Broad and buried outside off.
He skips on to 30 from 63 balls.
Australia 88/3, require 179 more to win vs England
Woakes even admits this is high, but they review nonetheless.
It pitches outside the line, Dar gets that one right and Labuschagne continues.
The Aussie batsman then helps himself to four more, cutting one through the off side between gully and point.
Enter, Ben Stokes!
Australia 96/3, require 171 more to win vs England
Leach getting some real turn now and with four men around Labuschagne.
The Australian batsman looks composed though as he edges towards a valuable 50.
The last delivery of the over is quicker and catches Labuschagne off guard, but he adjusts and traps it despite getting his legs out of the way.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments